Nursing

The mission of the Department of Nursing at TLU is to provide exemplary undergraduate and graduate nursing education that promotes academic excellence. Graduates are prepared to serve as leaders and community resources in the provision of services to consumers and agencies in collaboration with other disciplines. Graduates are prepared to participate in scholarly pursuits and engage in evidence-based practice.

The department offers a curriculum that is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and the Texas Board of Nursing and leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In addition, the baccalaureate degree in nursing program at TLU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791. The pre-licensure BSN program is a competitive entry program with limited space.

Emphasis for the nursing program is placed on preparing the baccalaureate professional nurse for the 21st century in a variety of healthcare settings as they care for patients across the lifespan and health-illness continuum. In addition, graduates will be prepared to continue their education in graduate programs in specialized nursing fields.

Nursing Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program

The pre-licensure BSN track is for students who wish to major in nursing as an undergraduate student. Graduates of this pre-licensure BSN track are eligible for Texas state licensure after successfully completing the requirements from the Texas Board of Nursing and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX®-RN). Admission to the pre-licensure BSN track is competitive with limited space.

Criteria for Admission for the pre-licensure BSN track

All students who wish to be considered for admission to the nursing program in their junior year must complete the following by the application deadline.

Accepted as a TLU student or be a current TLU student in good standing.
Completion of or currently enrolled in all prerequisite courses for the pre-licensure BSN track (to be completed before enrollment in nursing courses). Note: Art and Humanities may be taken concurrently with nursing courses or in the summer but must be completed before starting the last semester of the pre-licensure BSN track.
Completion of biology and chemistry prerequisites within at least seven years from the time of application to the pre-licensure BSN track.
Completion of the nursing program online application by the deadline for admission.
Three reference evaluation forms completed by healthcare supervisors and/or faculty who are familiar with the student’s academic and professional performance.
Earned at least a “C” in each prerequisite course with a nursing prerequisite GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
A minimum score of > 70 total score on the TEAS® for RN programs (Test for Essential Academic Skills) exam within the last year.
Completion of the Texas Board of Nursing Mandatory Background Check (must provide a copy of the official blue card) before official acceptance into the pre-licensure BSN track.
Completion of all clinical practicum/participation requirements before official acceptance into the pre-licensure BSN track.

Sophomore Nursing Admission Program (SNAP)

Freshmen TLU students, including students who have earned dual, AP/IB, or CLEP college credit, who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for early entry into the pre-licensure BSN track:

Admitted to TLU as an undergraduate student with a minimum SAT/ACT of 1100.
Identified as a pre-nursing TLU student at the beginning of their freshman year with a schedule for completion of all nursing pre-requisite courses by the beginning of their junior year.
Earned an overall GPA of 3.25 on all courses taken in their freshman year at TLU, with a C or better in all nursing prerequisite courses.
Completion of the SNAP application by the deadline of May 15 at the end of their freshman year, including three reference forms from health care supervisors and/or faculty familiar with the student’s performance.

Upon acceptance into SNAP, the student in their sophomore year would be able to enroll in NURS 336 and NURS 479 courses with director approval, as they continue to take additional pre-requisites for the pre-licensure BSN track. The student may declare nursing as their major as well as participate in pre-licensure BSN track related activities.

Continuation in SNAP requires that the student complete all other requirements related to the Texas Board of Nursing Mandatory Background Checks, Urine Drug and Health Screenings, and Immunizations within deadlines for the BSN pre-licensure track before enrolling in other nursing courses in their junior year. The student must maintain an overall GPA of a least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale for all college work by the beginning of their junior year and remain in good standing at TLU.

Students who do not meet or maintain SNAP requirements are still eligible for applying for the traditional pre-licensure BSN track.

Transfer Policy for the pre-licensure track

Students wishing to transfer into the TLU pre-licensure BSN track must follow the same application process for students currently enrolled at TLU (noted above). The student must first be accepted by the TLU Office of Admissions and then complete the nursing application process.

Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science (ABSN) Program

The accelerated baccalaureate degree (ABSN) track is a pre-licensure track designed for students who wish to pursue a major in nursing and have completed a baccalaureate degree in any academic major. The ABSN track can be completed in 16 months and four semesters. Courses start three times a year (June, September, and February). Graduates of the pre-licensure BSN track are eligible for Texas state licensure after successfully completing the requirements from the Texas Board of Nursing and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX ®-RN). Admission to the ABSN track is competitive with limited space.

Criteria for Admission for Accelerated BS in Nursing (ABSN) Track

All students who wish to be considered for admission to the ABSN track must complete the following by the application deadline.

Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in prerequisite courses.
Completion of or currently enrolled in all prerequisite courses. The following prerequisite courses must have been taken in the last seven years:
1. BIOL 245 Human A&P I
2. BIOL 246 Human A&P II
3. BIOL 233 Pathophysiology
4. BIOL 242 Microbiology
5. CHEM 147 Principles of Chemistry
6. BIOL 235 Nutrition
Plus completion of the following prerequisite courses:
1. PSYC 236 Developmental Psychology
2. STAT 374 Statistics
Complete the ABSN track online application through Nursing CAS.
Provide official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Provide one reference evaluation form (additionally, a letter of recommendation is highly encouraged).
Complete two short essay questions.
Overall proficiency score of 70% on the TEAS RN® (Test for Essential Academic Skills) exam within the last twelve months.
Completion of all health requirements before the deadline.
Completion and clearance of the Texas Board of Nursing Mandatory Background Check and Urine Drug Screening by all applicants of nursing programs in Texas.

Transfer Policy for Accelerated BS in Nursing (ABSN) Track

Any student wishing to transfer into the TLU pre-licensure ABSN track must follow the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) application process outlined above.

Retention in the Nursing Program

Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in all courses completed at TLU for graduation requirements.
Maintain a minimum grade of “C” or better in all nursing courses. A student who does not obtain the minimum grade in a nursing course will be off-track and will need submit a letter to petition for re-enrollment. The Admissions, Progression and Retention Committee will review each petition on a case-by-case basis in order to determine a student’s probationary terms and eligibility to repeat a course. Probation decisions may be limited by space availability in each cohort. A nursing student will be required to meet all probationary terms in order to join a designated cohort. The student will only be allowed one nursing course failure.
If a student earns a grade less than “C” in any two nursing courses, they will be academically dismissed from the nursing program.
Demonstrate continual progress toward completing all nursing courses, competencies and clinical proficiencies.
Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior during the time in the program, including in the classroom, laboratory sessions, and clinical agencies.
Comply will all policies and procedures outlined in the TLU and Department of Nursing Student Handbooks.

Nursing Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN) Program

The direct entry Master of Science in nursing track is a pre-licensure track designed for students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s of science in nursing and a master’s of science in nursing concurrently and have completed a baccalaureate degree in any academic major. The DEMSN track can be completed in 20 months/ five semesters. Courses start one time a year (February). Graduates of the pre-licensure DEMSN track are eligible for Texas state licensure after successfully completing the requirements from the Texas Board of Nursing and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX ®-RN). Admission to the DEMSN track is competitive with limited space.

Admission Criteria for Direct Entry Master of Science (DEMSN) Track

All students who wish to be considered for admission to the DEMSN track must complete the following by the application deadline.

Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in prerequisite courses.
Completion of or currently enrolled in all prerequisite courses. The following prerequisite courses must have been taken in the last seven years:
1. BIOL 245 Human A&P I
2. BIOL 246 Human A&P II
3. BIOL 233 Pathophysiology
4. BIOL 242 Microbiology
5. CHEM 147 Principles of Chemistry
6. BIOL 235 Nutrition
Plus, completion of the following prerequisite courses:
1. PSYC 236 Developmental Psychology
2. STAT 374 Statistics
Complete the DEMSN track online application through Nursing CAS.
Provide official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Provide one reference evaluation form (additionally, a letter of recommendation is highly encouraged).
Complete two short essay questions.
Overall proficiency score of 70% on the TEAS RN® (Test for Essential Academic Skills) exam within the last twelve months.
Completion of all health requirements before the deadline.
Completion and clearance of the Texas Board of Nursing Mandatory Background Check and Urine Drug Screening by all applicants of nursing programs in Texas.

Retention in the Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN) Program

Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses, on a 4.0 scale, completed at TLU for graduation requirements.
Receive at least a “C” in all nursing courses to progress to the next semester of courses. A grade of less than “C” for graduate, courses is considered a course failure. If a student falls below a 3.0 GPA for graduate courses at any time, they will be placed on academic probation for the upcoming semester and will be issued a learning success plan to assist them in increasing their GPA back to a 3.0. If a student is not able to increase their GPA to a 3.0 after one semester of academic probation, they may be removed from the DEMSN program and will have the opportunity to transfer to either the Accelerated or traditional BSN track nursing track.
If a student earns a grade less than “C” in any two nursing courses, they will be academically dismissed from the nursing program.
Demonstrate continual progress toward completing all nursing courses, competencies and clinical proficiencies.
Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior during the time in the program, including in the classroom, laboratory sessions, and clinical agencies.
Comply will all policies and procedures outlined in the TLU and Department of Nursing Student Handbooks.

Programs

Graduate Programs

Major in Nursing, Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing Track, M.S.N.

Major

Courses

Nursing